Dream of the Red Chamber: I can upgrade my entries!

Chapter 36 Elite troops and strong generals, making a move against the second branch of the Xue family!
"System, initiate upgrade!"

As the first rays of dawn shone on the winding Xilin River, Jia Yan, inside the large tent, used his monthly entry upgrade opportunity.

[Congratulations, host! The entry has been successfully upgraded!]

The system's mechanical prompts rang out quickly as always, and the previously green entry turned into a purple one.

【General's Demeanor (Purple)】: Possesses exceptional wisdom, strategizes meticulously, and wins decisive victories from afar; subordinates' training efficiency +50%.

'Whoosh!'

Upon seeing this, Jia Yan's eyes narrowed; this term would provide him with a unique advantage in commanding his troops.

Before this, his command ability was not particularly strong. He could handle 800 men with ease, but he would struggle with 3,000, 10,000 or even more. There was no other way to improve this ability except through years of leading troops and learning.

Now, this entry not only grants him the ability to command hundreds of thousands of troops, but also includes the most important special effect (subordinate training efficiency +50%).

This means that the troops under Jia Yan's command can achieve 150% training effectiveness in daily training, far ahead of the competition.

"Li Qing."

Jia Yan shouted loudly.

"General."

Li Qing strode into the central command tent, eagerly awaiting the arrival of his troops.

"Pass down the order to assemble the entire army and prepare for military exercises."

"Ah this?"

Li Qing was stunned for a moment, somewhat confused.

"No need to concern ourselves with the camp anymore. Open the gates and let them graze their livestock on their own."

Waving his hand, Jia Yan knew what he was worried about and added a few more words.

With the golden attribute "Zhaolie Reborn," all the tens of thousands of Mongols here are loyal and there is no possibility of betrayal.

"Yes."

Despite his apprehension, Li Qing followed orders and began preparations.

All the elite Longxi cavalry guarding the area around the Balin tribe's encampment were recalled and assembled in front of the central command tent. Their faces were filled with satisfaction and joy. They had conquered the enemy's women, so how could they not be confident?

"The entire army has them."

"Wow!"

Six hundred cavalrymen stood below the platform, each with their heads held high and chests out.

"The Thirty-Two Postures Long Fist, let's begin the demonstration."

Looking down at the people below, Jia Yan gave the order in a deep voice.

"Yes."

The six hundred figures then began to disperse, each leaving enough space to display their skills.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

A muffled sound followed, and figures began to practice the "Thirty-Two Postures Long Fist." They rose like the wind, struck like lightning, led with the front hand, followed by the rear hand, and exchanged blows in one breath. Their bodies were as docile as cats, as swift as tigers, as graceful as dragons, and as fast as lightning.

With hands and eyes moving in unison and steps intersecting, his bold and unrestrained movements and fierce and powerful aura attracted the attention of many Mongolian children.

Qi Jiguang's "Thirty-Two Postures Long Fist" was based on the Taizu Long Fist of Emperor Taizu of Song, Zhao Kuangyin. It features graceful movements, distinct moves, flexible footwork, and is unconventional. It combines hardness and softness, emptiness and fullness, and incorporates long-range and short-range attacks, resulting in strong explosive power.

For this reason, this martial arts method does not require excellent physical constitution or comprehension; all that is needed is passion, making it most suitable for young adults to practice.

"Eh!!!"

Li Qing and his personal guards realized that today was different. These soldiers were particularly adept at mastering the Thirty-Two Postures Long Fist, and their movements were precise and skillful.

In fact, most of the eight hundred young men who came from Longxi had trained their bodies since childhood and knew some basic military formations and martial arts. After more than two months of training in the capital, with the addition of meat and medicinal herbs, and the learning of advanced martial arts, many of them had already reached the threshold of Ming Jin.

This step is both simple and difficult; some people can break through the threshold in an instant, while others may never be able to.

The twelve guards had all been immersed in Ming Jin for many years, so how could they not see the surging and vibrating Qi and blood in the soldiers present, with many already condensing their internal energy?

"Oh!"

Suddenly, a crisp sound of air being torn apart rang out, like a whip lashing the air, and a soldier broke through the threshold, stepping into the early stage of Ming Jin.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

His breakthrough triggered a chain reaction, with many soldiers displaying their strength and throwing punches that sent gusts of wind through the air.

In an instant, dozens of soldiers simultaneously transformed into Ming Jin martial artists, leaving Li Qing and his personal guards stunned.

"good."

Upon witnessing this scene, Jia Yan smiled faintly.

Before long, most of the eight hundred disciples from Longxi should be able to break through to the Ming Jin level, which is good news.

"You should all go down and practice your martial arts."

With a wave of his hand, Jia Yan gestured.

"Yes."

The guards exchanged glances and then found secluded spots to practice their respective martial arts.

"Young master, a letter has arrived from the capital."

The figure in black reappeared in front of Jia Yan and handed him a letter delivered by carrier pigeon.

"Oh?"

Raising an eyebrow, Jia Yan opened the letter and his face showed a strange expression. The monk had judged the case in a muddle, and the Xue family had set off for the capital.

With Jia Yucun's actions, Xue Pan was essentially stripped of his official status and rendered a dead man under the rule of the Great Qian Dynasty. This matter was neither trivial nor serious, but it may have been a contributing factor to future troubles for the Jia and Wang families.

"Young master."

"The master says that this matter still needs your decision."

The figure in black respectfully reported.

"I see."

Jia Yan casually tossed the letter into the campfire, pacing back and forth as he pondered.

It is a fact that Jia Yucun aligned himself with Emperor Yongping. In the original novel, Jia Yucun was a Grand Marshal of the first rank, assisting in military affairs and advising on state affairs. This shows that his ability to scheme and maneuver should not be underestimated, and he had both strength and talent.

Jinling is Yingtian Prefecture, the capital of Southern Zhili, the secondary capital of the Great Qian Dynasty, and the most important place in the entire Jiangnan region. Placing Jia Yucun here was a ruthless move by Emperor Yongping. Jia Yucun was an official appointed by Jia Zheng with a name card, and many people would regard him as a member of the Jia family faction.

Unfortunately, this member of the Jia family had collected countless items in Jinling, and he would likely have played a part in the later raid on the Zhen family.

"Place a few people in the camp to see what he's up to, but don't alarm him for now."

"By the way, find out which faction the doorman who gives him advice comes from."

"Yes."

The figure in black immediately responded.

What is the current situation of the Xue family?

Then, Jia Yan inquired.

"Young master."

The figure in black replied, "The Xue family has eight branches in Jinling. Apart from the second branch, the remaining branches all rely on the Xue family's business for their livelihood."

"After Xue Pan's father died, the Xue family business was out of control, and their million-dollar fortune was coveted by outsiders."

"It seems that Xue Baochai's purpose in coming to the capital is not pure."

With a playful expression, Jia Yan said something.

"Young master."

"The second branch of the Xue family was favored by Prince Zhongshun and helped the Imperial Household Department to collect rare treasures from overseas. Their business covered the two capitals and thirteen provinces."

"However, the head of the second branch seems to have a hidden illness."

The figure in black added again.

"I see."

Jia Yan roughly understood the crux of the matter. The former Ziwei Sheren Xue Gong had two sons. The eldest son was the father of Xue Pan and Xue Baochai, a merchant in the Imperial Treasury who married the eldest daughter of the Wang family. The second son was the father of Xue Ke and Xue Baoqin, a royal merchant in the Imperial Household Department.

In the original novel of Dream of the Red Chamber, after Xue Pan's family went to the capital, the affairs of the Xue family were temporarily managed by the second branch, which was enough to keep them afloat for some time. However, after Xue Ke's father died, the Xue family completely lost its support and fell into decline.

"Tell Father to find a renowned doctor in the capital and arrange for him to travel to Jiangnan. The second branch of the Xue family cannot afford any trouble now."

"Yes."

The figure in black turned and left the central command tent.

(End of this chapter)